CALGARY, Alta. – A number of industry representatives gathered in Western Canada to tackle the ongoing issues of recruiting and retention, as well as introducing new ideas and insights to problems affecting all carriers.

The western installment of the Fourth Annual Canadian Recruiting and Retention Conference was held Nov. 29 and 30 at the Coast Plaza Hotel in Calgary.

One highlight of the annual event is the presentation of the Canadian Dispatcher of the Year Award and the OTR/SelecTrucks of Canada Canadian Retention Awards.

“These awards were first presented at the Toronto Conference in September, but as these are national awards and this is a national conference, we present these awards at both the Toronto and Calgary conferences,” explained Cathryn Charboneau, conference manager.

The TransX Group of Companies based in Winnipeg, was presented with the 2006 OTR/SelecTrucks of Canada Canadian Retention Award in the Over 100 Power Units Category.

The award is sponsored by SelecTrucks of Canada and recognizes carriers who best demonstrate, overall, the lowest driver turnover rate, the most improved driver turnover rate, and the best effort to improve driver retention over a number of years.

“This year’s winners continue in the tradition of raising the bar by demonstrating exceptional dedication to reducing their company’s annual turnover,” said Nevio Turchet, national manager of SelecTrucks of Canada.

The TransX Group of Companies operates with 1,500 drivers, 1,100 power units and eight terminals across North America and runs an average of 130 million miles per year.

“Another great initiative is their mentoring program which coaches new drivers and they feature a Diamond Driver Program, which recognizes and rewards the efforts of drivers who continuously display an exceptional level of professionalism and excellence,” added Turchet, while presenting the award.

Liberty Linehaul of Ayr, Ont. was recognized as the winner of this same retention award in the Under 100 Power Units Category.

The 2006 Canadian Dispatcher of the Year Award was presented to Ben O’Hara of Trimac Transportation’s Sarnia Branch. This award recognizes an outstanding individual, working in the field of dispatch, who best demonstrates a commitment to customer service, safety, driver well-being, courtesy, teamwork and problem solving.

Scott Short, manager of Employee Relations at Trimac, acknowledged the award on behalf of O’Hara.

“Driver well-being is of the utmost importance to Ben,” O’Hara’s supervisor wrote in his letter of nomination. “On those infrequent occasions where he is forced to give an owner/operator a bad load he always makes it up to him or her. This results in drivers who want to work with him and will do anything to help him and the company. He works hard every day to make this the preferred place to work for everybody.”

The Canadian Dispatcher of the Year Award is sponsored by Kim Richardson Transportation Specialists and Transcom Fleet Services.